Request

I request under FOI, information relating to the English Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS).

Since the inception of EIBSS on 1 November 2017 up to 1 November 2024 I would like to request the following number of each of the categories listed below.

1. The total number of individuals registered with EIBSS between 1 November 2017 and 1 November 2024.

2. The total number of individuals that have died between 1 November 2017 and 1 November 2024.

CATEGORIES

Hepatitis C (stage 1)
Hepatitis C (stage 1) with SCM
Hepatitis C (stage 2)
HIV
Co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C (stage 1)
Co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C (stage 1) with SCM
Co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C (stage 2)
Bereaved Spouses or Partners

I would be grateful if you could supply the information in the same format that you provided me with in 2022 (copy example attached).

Date Range: 01/11/17 to 01/11/24

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 6 November 2024.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.

Our response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested, and a copy is attached.

Please note that the categories of individuals for question two have changed. At the time of your previous FOI (29908), the categories "Bereaved" and "Unknown" were used for records associated with a primary beneficiary. We now categorise as follows: “Estate”, “Partner/Spouse” and “Widow, Widower Civil Partner”.

Fewer than five

Please be aware that I have decided not to release the full details where the total number of individuals falls below five, or where the year-on-year change is fewer than five. I have also withheld the total figures from question 2. This is because there is a risk of the identification of individuals, when combined with other information that may be in the public domain or reasonably available. We acknowledge that in your previous FOI (29908) low numbers were disclosed; however, upon review of this in addition to the information available in the public domain, we have concluded there is a risk of identification if these figures are disclosed.

Please note that where the year-on-year change has been withheld, this can be an increase or a decrease.

Breach of confidentiality

Please note that the identification of individuals is also a breach of the common law duty of confidence. An individual who has been identified could make a claim against the NHSBSA for the disclosure of the confidential information.

This information is therefore exempt under section 41 of the FOIA (information provided in confidence). This is because the requested information was provided to the NHSBSA in confidence.

In order for Section 41 to be engaged, the following criteria must be fulfilled:

• the authority must have obtained the information from another person,

• its disclosure must constitute a breach of confidence,

• a legal person must be able to bring an action for the breach of confidence to court, and

• that court action must be likely to succeed.

The NHSBSA can confirm that the information has been obtained from a third party and that subsequent disclosure of that information would constitute a breach of confidence. In addition, disclosure could result in a legal person being able to bring action for the breach of confidence to a court and that court action.

Please click the below web link to see the exemption in full -   https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/41

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement: “NHSBSA Copyright 2024” Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.